Hello all! I've been having trouble with the Paragard and have talked to my GYN about it but was wondering if anyone else has had trouble as well.

I am 19 (til 6/23) and have been on the Paragard since 12/10/2007. I understand that it had said that the increase in bleeding and cramps should clear in the first couple months. I had been patient with it, hoping the absolutely terrible cramps would fade. I had tried everything to try and lessen the pain. I would feel like my uterus was going to burst and the pain would radiate down my leg. I was in tears for a night or two and no OTC meds would work. I had tried (AT SEPARATE TIMES) 4 Ibuprophens, 2 Tylenols, 2 Bayer and even had left over pain medicine (ultram/tramadol) from when I was recovering from a very difficult surgery.

I have heard that wild yam extract was helpful and am going to buy it soon, my cramps should occur soon !!!

I honestly have no other options for birth control since hormonal drugs have proven to give me UTI or yeast infections (nuva ring...) The only other options are condoms and to be perfectly honest, I don't really trust them. The percentage is lower 90's to high 80's (from numerous sites I've read.) And to be perfectly honest, I don't really like them...

Both my boyfriend and I love each other immensely, are completely and fully loyal to one another and trust each other completely. We were both virgins and know that we are fully dedicated to one another. We are both STD free and healthy.

It kinda sucked though, cause my GYN kept on repeating over and over the importance of not having multiple partners in a condescending tone even when I repeated that I have one boyfriend. Made me kinda feel like she was indirectly saying I sleep around...

ANYWAY, sorry it's so long but I am rather desperate for some help! I appreciate if anyone responds!

I have a question. i had my paraguard since May of 2012 & only had a heavy cycle for May. I have not received my cycle for June nor July, but i do notice pink and red shades only when i go to wipe myself after urinating. Please help!

I think I can feel my paraguard device when checking for the strings. It doesn't feel like strings at all but a strong pointed tip (maybe the end of the device)? My significant other agreed that he can definetly feel something in there when we have intercourse. I was wondering what the strings should feel like and if this is indeed what I am feeling or if there is a chance that this device has fallen out of place?

The strings remind me of the plastic tabs that hold tags on clothing. Thats what they feel like to me. I had a similar experience use a lube and try to feel for it again. Sometimes the IUD gets stuck on vaginal walls.

You should have your ob/gyn look and make sure it is in place. If it is not in the uterine cavity it's not doing it's job. The strings on a Pargard should be soft and your partner should not feel them when you are having intercourse. You are at increased risk of pregnancy if your IUD is not in the correct location.

I have had paraguard for three months and I too have intense cramps that feel like my uterus is going to explode, or an alien is going to rip its way out of me. they come and go even when i am not on my period. I have a weird pinkish discharge before my period starts, and the cramps get so bad i double over in pain. I checked the strings and i just feel two strings that feel like a heavy fishing line. Will these cramps ever go away?

i'm a relatively new IUD user (paraguard), and i had a rough first month (cramps, spotting) with a super intense first period (very heavy bleeding, major cramps), but i'm now on a mission to share with all prospective IUD users one word that might change your life: ibuprofen. yes, specifically ibuprofen, not any other pain reliever.

when my period came, after 5 days of heavy bleeding and unbearable cramps with no end in sight, i followed someone else's recommendation and started taking ibuprofen as recommended on the bottle. i had been taking other over-the-counter pain relievers without much effect, so the difference with ibuprofen was substantial. seriously, within the first dose the bleeding was significantly lighter and within 24 hours of regular doses my period was done. i continued taking the recommended dose for a few more days, and i have had zero spotting or cramping since then.

apparently, the reason why ibuprofen works so well is that you're not just having a regular period at first -- your body realizes there's a foreign object in there and the uterus becomes inflamed and produces excess fluid. ibuprofen is particularly good at reducing inflammation (compared to other pain relievers), and something about its specific chemical structure works especially well in the uterus.

now, DO check with your doctor before self-medicating, and definitely don't keep taking ibuprofen over the long term without consulting a professional. my doctor told me that many people have heavy periods for the first couple of months while the body adjusts to the IUD, but that it should go back to normal over time, so if you keep having pain/discomfort over an extended time, definitely give your doc a call. however, to help control that initial inflammation and get you feeling back to normal more quickly, ibuprofen made an ENORMOUS difference for me.

I have been taking ibuprofen for years to alleviate my menstrual cramps and before beginning hormonal birth control, i had to overdose for the first 2 days of my period to alleviate the pain.

I just switched to the IUD and completely forgot about how painful my menstrual cramps were and they are much worse. I can't sleep with them and this is day 3 of my first period and seems like there is no end in sight: extremely heavy bleeding and pain that makes me cry out. Ibuprofen doesn't do anything to alleviate this anymore - at most it brings the pain threshold down a bit so that I can still feel it but I don't cry out.

That's great if ibuprofen works for you because everyone's body is different. I just don't want people thinking that ibuprofen is going to give them miracle results because for me, I am in intense pain and it no longer works for me.

I can no longer take Ibuprofen because it also deteriorates your stomach lining. I get Horrible stomach pain from any NSAIDs... so much for cramp ease.

I took NSAIDs to reduce inflammation in my joints from previous injuries, then doubled my dose to deal with the paragard cramps after having it inserted a month ago. I wouldn't recommend taking Ibuprofen without doing further research. Its not the best for everyone.

I am on my 3rd month with Paragard. I have a clotting disorder which makes it unsafe for me to use hormonal birth control. My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years. We have a 5 year old and have no plans for more children. But to be honest, the cramps, excess discharge, spotting, and bloating are causing me to second guess the decision to have the IUC implanted. I have all the same symptoms as everyone else on this list. When it is at it's worst, I can't walk due to the pain. In fact, my legs go numb for nearly 4 days and my cycle lasts twice as long as it did without the IUC (8 days). I am going to stick it out 2 more months. If it doesn't improve, I am going to ask to have it removed. To me, being pain free is more important. BTW--ibuprofen has not been helping me at all. I will try the primrose oil next.

I also have a clotting disorder which caused me to have two blood clots in my lungs. Now my only options are hormone-free IUDs. I have had Paragard for about 4 months now and it has been hell! The procedure was painful, I was left doubled up on the couch popping pain pills and using a heating pad for about 3 days afterward. Now, my periods come and go constantly. I have cramping for 3 out of 4 weeks every month. The pain is excrucating. I am on Tramadol and Ibuprofen. Nohing helps! I am definiely going to be getting this out if it doesn't improve soon!

paragard fell out yesterday while taking a shower. I have had it for almost 2 years and I've experienced heavy cramping and bleeding during my cycle. As a matter of fact I was cramping on my cycle in the shower yesterday when I experienced a sharp pain. I thought I was passing a blood clot (which I've experienced a lot since having this device) I noticed it was my paragard! All covered with old blood. Not to gross anyone out but the device was completely covered with thick, heavy old blood- So much so that it had become rubbery. I'm never getting it inserted again; just to think of that old blood sitting inside me for months on end.

i''ve had this darn thing for about 5 months and experienced my first heavy cramping and its not time for period for another two weeks! doubled over sucks! i''m ready to get this removed due to long period (8 days) even though they are light to medium, i''d rather go back to 3 days of a light period! it also feels like something is blocking me from orgasms, and i experience extreme vaginal dryness even during intercourse, which is puting a damper on our sex life. i''ve always been able to orgasm mutiple times and never had a need to invest in lubrication like i have since the paraguard. i too feel like something is trying to crawl out of my uterus on a daily basis lately! i don''t feel normal!

sweetcaroline....
I just got the paraguard a month ago... I noticed your comment on lack of orgasms... I to used to have multiple orgasm... I also feel like somethis is blocking me from that aswell... did this ever go away?

i''ve had this darn thing for about 5 months and experienced my first heavy cramping and its not time for period for another two weeks! doubled over sucks! i''m ready to get this removed due to long period (8 days) even though they are light to medium, i''d rather go back to 3 days of a light period! it also feels like something is blocking me from orgasms, and i experience extreme vaginal dryness even during intercourse, which is puting a damper on our sex life. i''ve always been able to orgasm mutiple times and never had a need to invest in lubrication like i have since the paraguard. i too feel like something is trying to crawl out of my uterus on a daily basis lately! i don''t feel normal!

I have had my Paragard in for 10 months now and I like it especially not having to worry about Birth Control. I, too, have a clotting disorder can''t take birth control with hormones. It was rough having it put in... very painful & for the first few months, the periods were painful. I like it now except for I am averaging like 3 periods in like 30 some days. My PMS is off the charts. I feel bad for my family. Has anyone experienced multiple periods in a month this far into it?

i havent had the paraguard inserted yet, and now that i read all these, i dont even think i want one.. i might just stick to the shot. my periods are very bad on the cramping part anyways and for them to get worse, i dont think that i could handle it. the doctors say that paragaurd is the best bc out there, now im starting to think otherwise, i mean who would want to put themselves in so much pain when theres other things out there? what do you guys think i should do?

I loooooooved my ParaGard for the first 4 years I had it! I hadn't had any children, and when I got it inserted it was extremely painful and caused cramps for a day. After that I didn't even have a period for 7 months, and when I did they were normal, not extra painful or long, and I never had any problems with the strings or anything.

Unfortunately, about 4 years after getting it my periods started getting heavier, longer and closer together. After 6 months of that, I asked my doctor to take it out so I could try something else. I've tried NuvaRing and Ortho TriCyclen since then, and I wish I could just go back to my ParaGard. It was the easiest, simplest BC I've ever used, and the only side effect I ever had was long periods.

Hi, I just came across your posting on here tonight. I've been reading posts because I've had my paragard for 5 years now and the past 3 months my periods have become much heavier, longer lasting, closer together and spotting. My dr seems to think this is abnormal and is sending me for a ultrasound and sonohystogram next week. I'm worried something major is going on. I'm curious if your dr told you this was normal for you having it in for 4 years ? Thanks

I had the paragard inserted two weeks ago and have had light to heavy bleedings ever since.The bleeding stops for a day or two than it starts again.I am tired and frustrated. I haven't called the clinic because I've read it is normal for the first three months. A friend of mine has had it for many years and never experienced anything.Can anyone tell me if they experienced this.

I had Paragard placed last Thursday. I didn't know what to expect going in to this, really. I researched everything, but everyone is different. I had no disorders or anything, I just wanted an easy, safe, hormone free birth control. Paragard seemed perfect, my doctor and I agreed.

The day it was placed was excruciating. The procedure itself was awful. My doctor had given me a sheet saying how I'd be able to go back to work or school immediately after, and that is crap. Plan to take the next few days off after placement if you can. I do have ovarian cycsts that make my period worse every few months. I imagine that pain is like birth, so this was ten times worse than that. It hurt all the way through my back as well.

Strangely enough, after I had a bowel movement, I felt perffectly fine. The next day the same thing happened. Back pain, cramping, moving was so painful, and then I went to the bathroom and I was fine.

Day three, and the weird pains started. My hips would ache a little, where my legs meet my pelvis all the way around, like a band, even my outter lips. But this wasn't much of a hindrance and it's touch and go.

Today I've aquired a leg pain. It feels like when your legs get restless. Just that jumpy, unsettled feeling from the top of my thigh to my knee and only in one leg. This stops when I rest for awhile, but when I starting moving again (and between classes and work, I'm usually moving) it aches.

I've had a bit of spotting, I guess. The discharge is that weird brownish color when you reach the end of your period, you know? It's been going on two days now on and off. Still, not too big a deal for me.

Really, despite all of that, it's perfectly fine. I'm still a little tender, can't put too much pressure on my abdomin, but otherwise fine. The pains are weird and I've contacted my doctor, but he's busy delivering a baby today. lol It's nothing hindering from my life. And it has only been four days. If this is the worst of it, I can live with it for ten years, at least.

I'm sorry some other people have had horrible experiences with this product. I noticed that it does say (on the FDA website) that most women, due to pain and bleeding, remove it within the first year.

And, OP, if your doctor talked to you in a manner you found condescending, get a new one. No one should be treated that way and you should not have to explain yourself, repeatedly or otherwise.

I hope my experience so far has helped someone. If anything else happens, I'll be sure to make note of it. I found this place really helpful for me.

I had para guard placed about two weeks ago and aside from getting it inserted I felt fine. A little more cramping than usual but nothing I couldn't handle. (I have a kidney disease and have had kidney infections and abcessed cysts in the past that we're the worst pain in my life doc's told me it was worse than natural child birth, but naturally my pain tolerance is pretty high afterwards.) I'm sorry to hear everyone for the most part is having problems. I hope that in the future I do not have these problems. Particularly the interference having sex and orgasming. Besides don't we get BC so we can enjoy sex minus the babies?

I have had the Paragard for 6 months now. I find it the easiest BC, second to abstinence lol. Anyhow when they inserted the IUD I was fine, just a little crampy. After I left the office 30 minunites later I was in excrutiating pain. It felt like I was giving birth all over again. The pain was to the point where I was doubled over in pain about to pass out.

Since that one time my side effects have not been that bad. I have had longer periods, it went to 5 days to 7-9 days. I also experienced more cramping, whereas I hadnt had much cramping normally. I took those as they came because the doctors did warn me about that before I had it inserted.

The part that I am having trouble with now is my periods are coming way more frequently. Not only are they longer, but they are more frequent. I figure this has been happening to me for the past 2 months, where I am on my period and I am off for a week and a half and I get right back on this. I made a call to my clinic and the person that answered the phone just said it could be my body getting used to the IUD, but I am going to go to the doctor and get it checked out. I dont think it is normal to be loosing this much blood....I dont need to make my anemia any worse.

I have had my paragard for about a month now and absolutely love it. Let me first say that I was terrified to get it becuse of all the horror stories i had read online. Eventually I just decided to take the plunge and am SO happy that I did. Quick history: I chose the paragard because I had been on the pill for 10 years and wanted my body to be off of hormones completely. I am in a committed relationship but have never had kids or been pregnant.
Now for the IUD details: The actual procedure was pretty uncomfortable but nowhere near as bad as I had expected it to be. There were 2 instances of sharp painful cramping which lasted just a second or two each. Even though it was fun, I was incredibly relieved at how easy and quick it was. when the doctor told me that it was in I said, "that was it?!". My boyfriend met me at the doctor's office to drive me home, but I actually felt pretty good- just a little shakey, and ended up driving myself home. About 30 minutes after the procedure I started having horrible cramps. I felt awful. All I could do was curl up on my bed. I got a thermacare heating pad which helped alot. The pain was really bad for about an hour and a half and then it kind of plateaued. I was still in pain and very uncomfortable but it became managable, I could walk around, eat etc. This level of pain lasted throughout the night. The next day was significantly better. I kept taking advil and could feel it but it I was able to go to work and tolerate the pain. I got the IUD inserted on the last day of my period (because this is when your cervix is the most open) and I spotted a little the day I got it and the day after, but no bleeding after that. The third day I barely knew anything had happened. I would say that I was 100% by day 4 or 5. Since then I have felt absolutely nothing. I just got my first period with the IUD and I feel GREAT! I know that people say that paragard gives them worse cramps heavier bleeding etc but that has NOT been my experience. I usually have mild to medium cramps with my period, but with this I don't feel anything. I feel 100% normal- not a single cramp, no bloating etc. The flow is very light too. I'm only going through 1 or 2 regular tampons a day.
I know that everyone has differnt experiences with their IUDs but I just wanted to share mine. I was SO scared to get it in the first place but I just want everyone to know that it is possible to have positive experience. There are so many horror stories out there, and I'm sure that they are true, but there are also good ones too! I'm so so so glad that I got mine and I hope that this will help someone else make their decision.

I would like to know how is your experince after having it now for couple more months already. I'am scheduled to have it inserted in a month and starting to be scared since i'am reading all the negative.

Im relieved to see your story!!! i know most people will only report the bad experiences they have rather then tell people about the good ones. They say 1 in ten people will tell people about a goo experience but 1 person with a bad experience will tell atleast 10.

I am really curious what your response to other birth controls were if any? I have had issues with all my hormone bc's causing extended periods or more frequent periods. the one i am currently on is seasonique and the last 5 weeks i am atleast heavy spotting if not completly on my period. (4 weeks early and for the full extent of the 5 weeks)ANy information your willing to tell me i would be so happy to hear... i am really hoping getting off the hormones fixes my problems with birth control

Im relieved to see your story!!! i know most people will only report the bad experiences they have rather then tell people about the good ones. They say 1 in ten people will tell people about a goo experience but 1 person with a bad experience will tell atleast 10.

I am really curious what your response to other birth controls were if any? I have had issues with all my hormone bc's causing extended periods or more frequent periods. the one i am currently on is seasonique and the last 5 weeks i am atleast heavy spotting if not completly on my period. (4 weeks early and for the full extent of the 5 weeks)ANy information your willing to tell me i would be so happy to hear... i am really hoping getting off the hormones fixes my problems with birth control

I've had paragard for about 3 months now. My periods are really irregular (I was pissed when I got it early on my honeymoon) Getting it pit in hurt because she had to open my cervix. I was unable to move for about 3 days after that. When I get my period the pain is intense. I double over in pain cause of my back pains, I also get pains in my hip from it making I impossible to sleep and I scream cause on occasion it feels like my cervix is opening ( I can only imagine it is like child birth.) However the pain stops after the first day or so, so not too terrible. At points like right now I question if it was a good idea. I am contemplating having it removed if the pain continues. I am currently cramping and hating it very much. Here's to hoping it gets better!

I've had paragard for about 3 months now. My periods are really irregular (I was pissed when I got it early on my honeymoon) Getting it pit in hurt because she had to open my cervix. I was unable to move for about 3 days after that. When I get my period the pain is intense. I double over in pain cause of my back pains, I also get pains in my hip from it making I impossible to sleep and I scream cause on occasion it feels like my cervix is opening ( I can only imagine it is like child birth.) However the pain stops after the first day or so, so not too terrible. At points like right now I question if it was a good idea. I am contemplating having it removed if the pain continues. I am currently cramping and hating it very much. Here's to hoping it gets better!

I definately dont think anyone should knock it til they try it I got one placed when I was 17 my son was 1 and definately not wanting another one got it when it was placed it was not bad at all I spotted for a few hours after with no pain and just had it removed early last year when I was 22 because I'm engaged now and am planning on having a baby in the next couple years but was worried if I waited to remove it when I was ready it might take longer to get pregnant after just having it removed so we had it taken out early but I had no problems regular periods cramping the day before but not terrible and I would definately get another after having my next child if I thought I would eventually want another so to each their own I know people who have gotten pregnant with them and had horror stories about them but I also know every ones experience is different

I've had my Paragard for about a year now and all I can say is LOVE IT! I got mine at PPH, due to no insurance at my job, but even though the long wait sucked, they were super nice! I told the Dr. that I was nervous, having read the horror stories and whatnot on the web, but she assured me that I was probably the 9th procedure she'd done that day and 1,000,000th she'd done in practice. And it also helped that she had less than 2 complications in her years of practice...OH! And before I got my IUD inserted, they made sure to do a full pap exam and STD screen to make sure I was healthy.
So before the insertion, she told me that she was going to inject my cervix with lidocaine since I had never given birth. AWESOME! I felt like I was floating off the table and before I knew it she was done...*note* If you Dr. doesn't offer lidocaine...ASK FOR IT!!!
Anyway...one year later, I am still pleased. After the procedure (which I got done on an extended lunch break lol!) I was able to drive back to work and carry on as usual. I had some minor cramping and spotting, but nothing a few Alieve and a pad couldn't handle. To this day, I must admit, yes...the cramps are a SMIDGE more severe than when I was on the pill...but that's easily managed by popping 2-3 Alieve a few days before my period starts, and it's a HUGE trade off compared to the weight gain, acne, mood swings, and TOTAL lack of sex drive I experienced with hormonal BC.
All in all, I love love LOVE my Paragard and have NO regrets whatsoever. I'm a healthy 25yr female, no pregnancies, no STD's, and in a committed relationship with no history of STD's for 6yrs just for reference.